Horror Comic Roundup - 6/18/13

Welcome to the Horror Comic Roundup! Join Decapitated Dan, Billy
Dunleavy and friends each week as they review new and old Horror Comics
that you will either be dying to read or terrified to check out!

A1 #1 (Titan Comics/Atomeka)Billy Dunleavy: This issue had some elements of horror in it, but overall was more action and sci-fi. The first story, "The Weirding Willows", showed a story that part Alice in Wonderland and part Island of Dr. Moreau (both excellent stories). A doctor doing obscene experiments, his beautiful but irreverent daughter, and animals that mirror humans with their intelligence round out the cast. The second story was CarpeDiem, and follows an agency that is tryin to stop an insane chef that seems more like a terrorist that uses food as weapons! Thirdly, we get a story that shows how a military will go to any lengths to win a war. Even if they kill their own soldiers while trying to summon a demon to posses them, and use it as a weapon! Solid book from end to end, Dave Elliott writing the first and third stories, and other credits include Garrie Gastonny, and Stanley "Artgerm" Lau. Rating 4/5

Decapitated Dan: It’s here, it’s here, it is finally here! If you don’t know what I mean by that, well listen to an episode of Monsters & Metal, because Dave Elliot has been telling me how great this book was going to be for the past 4 months! So diving right into this anthology I will straight up say that “Odyssey” is the most horror-ish of the bunch, and was also my favorite. I thought that the story developed into something I need to know more of right away, and that artwork was oh so nice. #2 in my opinion was the “Carpe Deim”. I thought that this story was the most fun of the bunch, and 2 pages in there is an amazing head explosion, that still has me laughing. “The Weirding Willows” story, which I thought was going to be my favorite of the bunch, wound up being my least. Not to say that it was a bad story at all, it just had a ton of build and will end up paying off in the long run, where as the other two were in your face from the start. Overall I have to admit that this is one of the best anthology titles I have read in a while. The stories are solid and the artwork is to die for. This is the complete package. - Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: This is the start of what looks like a trilogy of unconnected tales. “Weirding Willows” — Dr. Moreau is Alice-in-Wonderland’s dad; Dr. Jekyll and the Wicked Witch of the West go to him for help…but what help could they possibly need? “The Carpediem” — Agent Monday and his gang of day-of-the-week named superagents are fighting a satanic chef, but can you really ever defeat broccoli? “Odyssey” — WWII wasn’t just fought for the lives of those on earth, but for their souls; but first, a vessel must be chosen…. A1 #1 feels rushed, and just when I started to get my bearings, another story comes along. This could be the start of an awesome series, or just a mishmash of average. I’m willing to bet on the former, at least for a few more issues. (3 out of 5)

An American Vampire Special: The Long Road to Hell: (Vertigo) Denise Dutton: Rafael Albuquerque has been cranking out amazing artwork on American Vampire, and in this one-shot he’s also taking the lead on writing duties. And if Hell is any indication of what he’s stored up in that noggin, I’ll be front and center for more. This tale centers on Billy Bob and his fiancée Jolene, two small time grifters who end up in the middle of a war between two vampire covens. Add vamp hunter Travis Kidd and an orphan boy named Jasper to the mix, and this is one slam-bang of an issue. I love me some Scott Snyder stories, but I hope Albuquerque – whose art doesn’t suffer from his multitasking here – gets to drive the car again soon. (4.5 out of 5)

Breath of Bones #1 (Dark Horse)Billy Dunleavy: This war story with a twist did a great job at setting up the next issue! It had a great pace, solid characters, and very good artwork as well. Niles did a superb job with mixing action and heart-felt moments between the young boy and his grandfather. Add the mystery from the last page (well, not much of a mystery seeing the cover), and you have a book that not only has a solid story, but great artwork by Dave Wachter (Night of 1000 Wolves was awesome, so check out that book of his too!). Rating 4/5

Decapitated Dan: Well that was not what I expected for the first issue, but man did I enjoy the hell out of it. This issue really focuses on the build of the story, and all I can say is that something BIG (pun inteneded) is coming. Niles really delivers an interesting story here, that I can only hope gets better with each issue. The artwork by Wachter is GORE-Geous, and that is to be expected from him at this point. So overall a great story, but I am hoping we can see more Golem soon... I WANT DESTRUCTION! - Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

Constantine #4 (DC Comics)Decapitated Dan: Well I wanted to enjoy this issue because it had good ‘ol Pape Midnight in it, but even he couldn’t save it for me. The story comes off as a one and done, and while it was not horrible, nothing really seemed to happen. The artwork was nice at times, but it was not as good as it has been before with this series. I get why when looking into the crystal ball we have to see ahead to this big DC crossover, but man that is why I do not like this. John was fine as he was, so unless something big happens, just consider this my last review of Constantine. - Dying Breath 2.5 out of 5.0

The Crow Curare #1 (IDW)Decapitated Dan: I like Crow books when O’Barr is on them, so I think it is safe to say... I liked this book. While not really horror, this book sure delivers one hell of an opening chapter that has me hooked. What James does with this Crow story, is really build up that reason as to why a person would come back to settle a score. The pacing was fantastic and like I said, by the end I was so invested that I have to come back for more. Huge high fives also need to go to Dodé for his GORE-Geous visuals, because this book was breath taking to look at. Overall this is a series that is not to be missed. - Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Demon Knights #21 (DC) Billy Dunleavy: Another awesome issue from Venditti and company. This issue showed Jason Blood and Vandal Savage travel to the location of the Holy Grail. Once there though, they find out why no one has ever retrieved it before, as two giants that are guarding it attack them. There's been an uneasy alliance between both of these characters, and Etrigan, Blood, and Savage, all feel the consequences of this. Its been building for a while now, but it all comes to a head in this issue! Rating 4/5

Dreamkeepers Volume 3 (Vivid Independent Publishing)Decapitated Dan: ARGH!!!!!!!! I have waited over 3 years, yes 3 years, for Volume 3 of Dreamkeepers to come out and now you are telling me there will be a Volume 4! ARGH!!!!! Hands down, this is one of the greatest comics I have ever read. Waiting for book 3 to come out was agony, because I was being deprived of something so good. Starting with the artwork.... ugh it is so BOO-Tiful! I can’t even try to explain how amazing the colors are, they seriously make my eyes melt, and speaking of eyes, how amazing did the “main” villain look in this issue. I am so in love with this books visuals. Now I can’t lie about the story. I did need to go grab books 1 and 2 and give them a quick glance to catch up, so maybe a recap page is needed, I don’t know. But after diving into this book I was fully invested for the next 2 hours, I could no put it down. Dave and Liz crafted this story that grabbed me, and would not let go. The pacing, the dialogue, the concept... it is all so damn good. The only thing I can really try and compare this too would be Skydoll. I think the style and colors are kind of on that level, and the story is so solid, it is what I expect out of some of the imported comics I have read. Summing up this book could be difficult, but thankfully the English language has the right term for it... PERFECTION. - Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0

Ehmm Theory #1 (Action Lab)Billy Dunleavy: What does a cat, a dead geek, and midget zombies all have in common? Easy, it's the latest offering from Action Lab's Danger Zone! This story was really cool on many different levels. It had a good story, great artwork, and a few panels of humor to break up the serious tone as well.There's also the mystery of who "Saint Peter" actually is, because it's obvious, he's not, and also that he's playing some kind of game that Gabriel (the geek) is unaware of. Rating 4/5

Ferals #15 (Avatar Press)Decapitated Dan: Remember last month when I reviewed #14 and thought it was a safe place to jump in, well #15 kinda changed that. While I was easily able to follow what was going on there were somethings that I had to guess at. The story does a great job in all fronts, because it is really entertaining and it makes me wish there was more time in the day to read what I missed out on. I love this concept and like where it is heading. The artwork was solid again, and with the best scene being of a woman kind of exploding while giving birth. Overall this is really a great series, so if you are like me and love werewolves, but fell behind on keeping up, make up for it now. - Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

Helheim #4 (Oni Press)Decapitated Dan: The pedal is to the floor, and this book is now taking off. What a great ride these past 2 issues have been and it can ONLY get better from here. The artwork by Jones is so GORE-Geous, and if you don’t believe me, open the issue to the scene with the monster Army. Bunn is seriously delivering one of the best stories on comic shelves right now too. I wish these issues were longer, because I need more story and I really need it now. Plain and simple, you need to be reading Helheim, because it is EPIC! - Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Joe Hill's Thumbprint #1 (IDW) Billy Dunleavy: This part military, part thriller goes right into some dark places that really hit you right in the gut! An ex-military girl that seems to have been part of some dirty deeds overseas is now working in a diner, trying to live a quiet life. Little does she know, that soon her life will be turned upside down, and a shadowy figure begins to torture her mentally! It seems to be someone from her past, but she can't remember why this thumbprint on a piece of paper is so familiar. This Joe HIll adaptation by Jason Ciaramelia is fantastic! Rating 5/5

6 Gun Gorilla #1 (Boom) Denise Dutton: Yes, this comic had me at it’s title. I’m a sucker for the wacky. But did it keep a’hold of me past that? Yep. Simon Spurrier & Jeff Stokely, did something unexpected; they bumped my obsession with the AT-AT down a peg. I now want a FRIGGIN HUGE ATTACK TURTLE. This is a fine mashup of western and sci-fi (what? You know any real gorillas that own firearms?) Stokley’s angular art gives the look a fresh spin, while Spurrier’s story teases out just enough to hook you. Howdy. (4 out of 5)

Stitched #14 (Avatar Press)Decapitated Dan: I have not read an issue of Sticthed since #2, not because it was a bad comic, just because there is so much to read somethings I have to pass on. So now that I am doing this fancy little column, I am trying to cover as much new material each week as I can, and that means I need to read Stitched #14. While this particular issue really dealt with some story building and had little on the horror side, it was still a solid book. Of course I will mention how great the explanation of what the Stitched really are was, but the entire issue was a great read. The artwork stole the show though. Every single page had my eyes screaming with joy, and I can only imagine how much more I would have been gushing if a gruesome death had taken place. Much like Ferals, I am just kicking myself for not staying on top of reading this title, but I am fixing that now. Dying Breath 4.5 - 5.0

The Walking Dead #111 (Image) Denise Dutton: I’m with Carl; I still think that tiger is badass. And while Our Gang is busy trying to figure out how to kick Negan’s worthless backside, Negan pays a visit to the Hilltop and gets chatty with Spencer. Am I the only one who thinks that Kirkman should just wrap up this Saviors storyline already? Or maybe it’s just that I want to see Negan suffer for his crimes (issue #100 in particular, hello!) A dull issue saved by a bit of a twist at the end. (3 out of 5)

The Wrong House #1 (Broken Soul Press/Drive Thru Comics)Decapitated Dan: Let me recap my thoughts after reading the first few pages of this book:
Page 1: “Ooh this looks nice!”, Page 2: “Oh hell no! That had to hurt!”, Page 3: “I’m hooked!”
Wow what a great comic this was, because on all levels this one is a winner. The story was so damn good, and I can not get over how well it all played out. The way that Lawson told this one has me wanting more NOW! Think Tarantino, that is all I will say. The artwork is right on par with the story, it is so GORE-Geous. Kay did a fantastic job of being able to capture the terror that was needed for this book to be so strong. I simply can not get over how great this issue was. All I can really say is that you need to read it, and you need to read it now. And to you creators on this book, get to creating because we need more now! - Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0